Typhoon Champi disrupted Taiwan’s air transport network on Friday, with the Civil Aviation Administration reporting 977 cancelled flights as the storm approached the island’s northeastern coast. The cancellations covered 262 domestic and 715 international or cross-strait services. Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport accounted for 596 cancellations, including 521 passenger and 75 cargo flights, while EVA Air and Starlux Airlines adjusted long-haul and regional operations.
EVA Air cancelled all later long-haul flights between Taiwan and Europe or the United States, together with selected services at Taoyuan and Taipei Songshan airports. Starlux planned to operate only long-haul flights to Europe, the United States and other destinations, suspending its remaining services.
Taoyuan’s cancellations between midnight and 9 a.m. included 75 cargo flights, highlighting the disruption’s impact beyond passenger travel. The latest figure is substantially above the 125 cancellations recorded on Thursday as Champi approached, although the total may change as airlines revise schedules.
Schools, offices and financial markets closed across most of Taiwan as strong winds and torrential rain affected the island. North-south high-speed rail services continued, while Taipei public transport operated at reduced capacity. The storm’s circulation extended about 320 kilometres, and weather authorities warned that conditions could persist for almost two days. One person was killed and 94 injured, while about 1,300 people were evacuated from mountainous areas.